Kanji meanings › Water
Kanji for Water
Japanese has more than one kanji connected to “water”: 水、潮、芹、洸、澪、汀、螺、滉. Each has its own feeling. Compare their meanings, readings and the names they appear in.
water
Water, one of the five elements of old East Asian thought; gentle yet able to wear down stone.
Mizuhiki are traditional Japanese decorative cords knotted on gift envelopes to symbolize enduring warmth and connection.
4 strokes On reading スイ (sui) Kun reading みず (mizu) JLPT N4
Dictionary meanings: water
Readings used for names on Nazuke: sui, mi, mizu, mina
In Japan it appears in about 971 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, mostly in girls’ names.
tide
The tide of the sea.
The Naruto whirlpools in Tokushima are massive tidal vortexes created by rapid water flow through the narrow strait.
15 strokes On reading チョウ (chou) Kun reading しお、うしお (shio, ushio) JLPT N1
Dictionary meanings: tide, salt water, opportunity
Readings used for names on Nazuke: shio, chou
In Japan it appears in about 85 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, mostly in girls’ names.
Names written with 潮: Horacio 宝怜潮 · Ignacio 伊久奈潮
More about 潮 →water parsley
Seri, one of the seven herbs of spring.
Seri (water parsley) is the first of seven wild spring herbs eaten in hot rice porridge on January 7.
7 strokes On reading キン (kin) Kun reading せり (seri) JLPT N1
Dictionary meanings: parsley
Readings used for names on Nazuke: kin, seri
In Japan it appears in about 59 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, mostly in girls’ names.
Names written with 芹: Araceli 愛良芹 · Aracely 愛良芹
More about 芹 →sparkling water
Water glittering in the light; deep and brilliant.
9 strokes On reading コウ (kou) JLPT N1
Dictionary meanings: sparkling water
Readings used for names on Nazuke: kou, takeshi, hiro, hiroshi
In Japan it appears in about 76 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, in both boys’ and girls’ names.
Names written with 洸: Coleman 洸瑠芽 · Cole 洸瑠
More about 洸 →waterway
The channel where a boat can safely pass.
Miotsukushi were water navigation markers in ancient Osaka Bay, celebrated in classical Waka poetry as emblems of devotion.
16 strokes On reading レイ (rei) Kun reading みお (mio) JLPT N1
Dictionary meanings: water route, shipping channel
Readings used for names on Nazuke: mio, rei
In Japan it appears in about 103 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, mostly in girls’ names.
More about 澪 →shore
The water's edge, where the waves meet the sand.
5 strokes On reading テイ (tei) Kun reading みぎわ、なぎさ (migiwa, nagisa) JLPT N1
Dictionary meanings: water's edge, shore, bank
Readings used for names on Nazuke: tei, migiwa
In Japan it appears in about 69 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, mostly in girls’ names.
Names written with 汀: Gitti 義汀
More about 汀 →spiral
A spiral shell; mysterious and graceful.
Raden is a master Japanese craft technique inlaying shimmering mother-of-pearl shells into gleaming black lacquerware.
17 strokes On reading ラ (ra) Kun reading にし、にな (nishi, nina)
Dictionary meanings: small, edible, helical fresh-water mollusk
Readings used for names on Nazuke: ra
More about 螺 →deep waters
Deep, broad water.
13 strokes On reading コウ (kou) Kun reading ひろい (hiroi) JLPT N1
Dictionary meanings: deep and broad (water)
Readings used for names on Nazuke: kou, hiro
More about 滉 →Thinking of a tattoo? A single kanji like these is meaningful on its own, but ask a native speaker to check the exact form and stroke order before you commit.
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